France, Italy & Spain with Nice and Barcelona Stays, 20 May 2026 (15 nights)

Founded by the Phoenicians before being all but destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV, this once mighty fortress dominates the bay with fantastic views out over the city and coast. Nowadays you’ll find a pleasant stroll in the gardens and a gorgeous waterfall.

Full of artisan shops and charming streets, Nice’s old town district is the perfect place to sample some Socca - a local salad Niçoise speciality made with chickpeas. A wander around the flower market is a must too, with intoxicating smells and dazzling colours.

Named after Belorussian artist Marc Chagall, this art museum boasts his 17 “Biblical Message” paintings, and most of the other works follow this religious theme too. Make sure to follow the audio guide to truly immerse yourself in his works and their tales.

Located in a beautiful 17th-century Genoese villa, the Matisse Museum is a must for all art fans. The highlights are the paintings of Henri Mattisse himself, with which you can follow his life through his works, as well as temporary exhibitions.

Situated in Nice’s old town, La Sainte-Réparate Cathedral was built in the 17th century in a predominantly Baroque style. The ceilings and walls are decorated with gold, marble and a myriad of colourful hues throughout as well as carvings and artworks.

Named after the English holiday makers for whom the French Riviera became a popular destination in the 19th century, this gorgeous seafront boulevard is lined with pretty palm trees and luxury hotels, and is now the place for a pleasant seaside stroll.

Pointe de la Parata is where you’ll find the perfect spot to watch the sunset, as well as the Tower of Parata, a ruined Genoese tower built in the 1550’s. A walking route will take you to the best viewpoints as well as the clear, blue sea where you can take a dip.

Situated in the heart of Ajaccio, the Fesch Museum is dedicated to fine arts, particularly Early Italian and Renaissance pieces. With one of France’s largest collections of Italian works, the Fesch Museum is a must visit for art-enthusiasts.

The home in which the great and controversial leader, Napoléon, was born, Maison Bonaparte is must visit in Ajaccio. Now preserved as a museum dedicated to memorabilia of the family, this house provides great insight into one of the biggest names in history.

Found in Ajaccio’s town hall is an ornate gallery showcasing paintings, sculptures, medals and other memorabilia connected to Napoleon and donated by the Bonaparte family. Most notable is the full-length portrait of Napoleon himself.

Officially the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Ajaccio, this Baroque-style church was where Napoleon was baptised in 1771. While the exterior is modest and subtle, visitors will find rich, grand décor within including a stunning organ.

Founded by the Phoenicians before being all but destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV, this once mighty fortress dominates the bay with fantastic views out over the city and coast. Nowadays you’ll find a pleasant stroll in the gardens and a gorgeous waterfall.

Full of artisan shops and charming streets, Nice’s old town district is the perfect place to sample some Socca - a local salad Niçoise speciality made with chickpeas. A wander around the flower market is a must too, with intoxicating smells and dazzling colours.

Named after Belorussian artist Marc Chagall, this art museum boasts his 17 “Biblical Message” paintings, and most of the other works follow this religious theme too. Make sure to follow the audio guide to truly immerse yourself in his works and their tales.

Located in a beautiful 17th-century Genoese villa, the Matisse Museum is a must for all art fans. The highlights are the paintings of Henri Mattisse himself, with which you can follow his life through his works, as well as temporary exhibitions.

Situated in Nice’s old town, La Sainte-Réparate Cathedral was built in the 17th century in a predominantly Baroque style. The ceilings and walls are decorated with gold, marble and a myriad of colourful hues throughout as well as carvings and artworks.

Named after the English holiday makers for whom the French Riviera became a popular destination in the 19th century, this gorgeous seafront boulevard is lined with pretty palm trees and luxury hotels, and is now the place for a pleasant seaside stroll.

Locally referred to as Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which was first built in 1064, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo – a graveyard – and the Campanile – the cathedral’s bell tower which is perhaps better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Today the square has become a popular place to relax and enjoy the warm sun in some beautiful, historic surroundings.

Maria Assunta. Construction of the building began in 1173, and in spite of a detailed, thought-out design it is believed that a slight lean was evident from the building of the second floor. Building was intermittent due to wars and sociological events, and the tower was not completed until roughly the year 1370. Since this time the lean has been stabilised, and tourists are permitted to enter and climb the staircase to the top for a wonderful view.

The cathedral – or Duomo – and baptistery are two important historic sites which are often overlooked in favour of the Leaning Tower. The cathedral itself dates back to 1064, and you can see within there are influences from the Arabic world, with column designs being reminiscent of those often seen in mosques. The neighbouring baptistery is the largest in the country, and was originally designed in 1152, before being remodelled in the mid-13th century.

Lying just 25 minutes' drive from Marseille, this stunning national park forms a natural harbour on the Mediterranean coastline. Boasting over 8,000 hectares of green landscapes and dramatic coves, don’t forget to keep an eye out for dolphins from the cliff edge.

With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Marseille History Museum is the ideal way to walk the paths of Marseille’s engrossing past. Covering everything from the ancient Greek founders and Roman traders, to more recent affairs, the museum is a must for those in love with archaeology and French history.

This old district of Marseille has witnessed many moments of history, from the turbulence of ancient times to the darkness of WW2. Today you’ll find charming narrow streets to wander, dotted with artisan shops, cafés, bars and bistros.

Affectionately called the “Good Mother”’ by locals, Notre-Dame de la Garde was built in the 12th century on the site of an old fort and has seen countless renovations. Standing proudly 157 metres above the city, this is the place for unrivalled views of the city.

The Port of Marseille is the cradle not only in terms of location but in bringing trade, culture and wealth to Marseilles. Nowadays you’ll find the famous fish market a scenic waterfront ideal for sipping pastis while watching the world go by.

Renamed in honour of US President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in 1963, this pretty boulevard boasts architecture from many different eras, and is the perfect place to go for a stroll and admire the pretty beaches and coastline of Marseille.

A welcoming beach packed full of Blue Flag destinations and plenty of opportunities to go hiking or biking as well as, of course, swimming.

Complete with small funfair, café bar, and disabled access, this beach is a popular destination for families looking to make the most of the famously fine sand and calm waters protected by the harbour walls on sunny days.

Sète’s most popular museum is dedicated, as the name suggests, to the celebrated local musician and poet Georges Brassens. Here you’ll find fascinating guided tours of the exhibitions of photos, letters, and music as well as clips from live concerts.

With its iconic cross monument, this is the perfect spot for 360 degree views of the city and canals of Sète, the surrounding landscapes, and way out to sea. You will also find here the Chapel of Our Lady of Salette, with its beautiful colourful frescoes.

Opening in 1970, this engrossing museum has hundreds of works by the artist from whom it takes its name, as well as a good number of manuscripts. Additional collections include pieces from the 19th century, mostly representing the city of Sète itself.

Though this hidden gem may be a little off the beaten track, Cala S’Alguer is an intimate, quaint beach lined with whitewashed fishermen’s houses, bars and lush pinewood. Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and relax in this tranquil photographer’s dream.

Found at the end of La Fosca beach, Castell de Sant Esteve is a great example of Palamo’s traditional architecture from around the 12th and 13th centuries. It is not known exactly when the castle was founded, but it’s still worth exploring these eerie ruins.

The fishing trade in Palamos is a spectacle in itself, though to truly uncover the history of this industry, a visit to the Museu de la Pesca is well worth it. Through a range of exhibitions and activities, discover what it’s like to be a real fisherman!

Built in 1875 by the orders of the Spanish monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, this impressive 19th century fortress overlooks the beautiful Mahon harbour. A popular spot to visit for tourists, not only can you spend your time there taking in the views of the surrounding city, but exploring the tunnels, an art gallery and the dozens of historic fortifications.

A prominent concrete tower, the Far de Favaritx is within easy reach of the city, and is well worth a trip during your time in port due to the awe-inspiring views it offers. 47m above sea level and soaring 28m into the sky, this unique lighthouse is a significant maritime exhibition to visit.

An important museum within the city, you can take a tour through it and discover the array of artefacts it has on offer. Located within a historic Franciscan convent dating back to the 17th century, anyone that loves history or simply discovering more about the city they are visiting will love to wander around this museum.

Visiting Las Ramblas is an absolute must when in Barcelona. Visitors can experience the weird and the wonderful, from the Museu de l’Erotica to the Miró Mural, in between trying a range of authentic tapas bars and cafes before a much needed siesta.

Although the Sagrada Familia is not technically complete, it’s still an impressive sight to behold. Designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, this spectacular Basilica hosts many masses, events and a place to simply marvel at in wonder.

Home of the cultural heritage of Barcelona, the Barcelona City History Museum manages several sites of interest including archaeological sites and historic houses. Visitors will discover the Roman colony, prehistoric Spain, Barcelona’s Jewish community and more.

Comprising of vibrant gardens and beautiful architecture, Park Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí and officially opened in 1926. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding showcase of Gaudí’s genius design, Park Güell makes a wonderful place to go for a walk.

Another one of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces, Casa Batllo is a truly eye-catching building to explore. Visitors are able to explore this fantastic showcase of the designer’s work, and even enjoy live music and other events on the roof terrace.

This modernist building was the last residence to be designed by Antoni Gaudí and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the building with an audio guide, and even enjoy rooftop shows on a romantic evening.

One of Barcelona’s oldest beaches, Sant Sebastià Beach features everything you need for a fantastic day in the sun. With indoor and outdoor pools, changing rooms and amenities for lounging, visitors can go for a dip, enjoy an ice cream and find dinner all in one area.

With capacity for over 99,000 people, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Spain and cathedral to the Catalans’ second religion- the beautiful game! Visitors can catch an exciting game of football here or take a guided or un-guided tour of the grounds.